I need help!!trying to rent

[mutzul]

Hello everyone this is not really an AIBU or maybe it is who knows anymore.
Ohh and this is the first time I'm posting.

So my husband and I are trying to rent a house
I went to see it yesterday and I liked it so I said then and there that we will take it(really would've taken anything as with a baby and a dog it's really hard to find anything)anyway went home and paid the holding deposit and started the paperwork.
I signed everything there was to be signed,put my data in to their referencing agency and did the same for my husband.
He is self employed so had to send in his tax return which I did.
All was good my landlord gave them a reference
This morning I get an email telling me that my husband failed refs because he doesn't earn enough he earned 39k but his net expenses were 22k
I said that is not the case he made 34k net
But on the tax return it actually says 22k net but also allowable expenses 17k which is made up of 12k tax allowance and the rest is business expenses
The problem is it doesn't specify exactly that
So they won't accept it even tho I sent them payslips that he gets to prove the 34k they just disregard them.
Does anyone have any experience with letting agents and what to do next
I'm so stressed because I need to move asap because we live in a one bedroom flat and I'm supposed to be returning to work from maternity leave next month so I wanted to be settled in before that.
Also it's my babies first birthday this month and I hoped I could have a socially distanced BBQ for her in the garden.
Alsooo we paid the deposit but the property is still online.

Sorry for the long story but really needed to vent.
If anyone can help much appreciated!

Sorry not net expenses net earnings were 22k.

Would the LL accept a guarantor, and is there anyone that could act as one for you?

Look for another property?

Hi,
The letting agent said I would need one and then in the same sentence she said LL would not accept one so only other thing would be to prove over 16k in savings,which we do have but not in a savings account the money is in my husbands main bank account but they won't accept that either.

Either a guarantor or 6 months rent in advance.
My husband is also self employed and have been through exactly what you describe, we had to pay 6 months up front

Like 7 says, ask if they'll accept a guarantor I've a few friends who have done that

@HollyBollyBooBoo

Look for another property?

Hi,it's not that easy! I've been looking since before lockdown and again now since the agents opened and I either don't even get a reply from them or they call and tell me Sorry no pets..Sorry no children so it's not as easy as just look for another property

@Rumbletumbleinmytummy

Like 7 says, ask if they'll accept a guarantor I've a few friends who have done that

The landlord won't accept guarantor and I don't have one anyway (not many friends)

It it the landlord own criteria? Or is it the estate agents references company who are saying no?

Can you pay 6 Months up front?

Offer to pay six months up front.

If they wont accept a guarantor and that you have £16k savings just move on and deal with agencies that arent complete arses to deal with.

Only other thing I can think, is maybe pay the entire contract upfront? They have literally 0 risk then.

@Freddiefox

It it the landlord own criteria? Or is it the estate agents references company who are saying no?

Can you pay 6 Months up front?

The letting agent said that she knows the landlord and she knows he won't accept a guarantor. I will have to do that no other choice then.

Surely £16k in the bank is still £16k?
Sounds like they're being awkward.
Is it an area with few rental properties? Or is it the pet thing? Some LLs will accept a higher deposit against pet damage, if there are other properties that suit, maybe ask about the possibility of that?
I'm sorry, I know how difficult Renting can be

If it does turn out to be a pet thing, I don't know if the LL will accept it. But my landlord was a bit concerned about our dog. I got him to write into the contract any damage done by the dog I will be fully liable to pay or fix before vacation of the property and that I'd get the carpets cleaned too

@7ofNine

Surely £16k in the bank is still £16k? Sounds like they're being awkward. Is it an area with few rental properties? Or is it the pet thing? Some LLs will accept a higher deposit against pet damage, if there are other properties that suit, maybe ask about the possibility of that? I'm sorry, I know how difficult Renting can be

The agent actually contacted me about it and said pets and children allowed so I don't really understand what the issue is now. She sent me the email she received from the referencing agency after she sent them his bank statement to prove the 16k they said it's because he gets paid in that account they cant consider it. What nonsense is that I don't understand,like you said 16k is 16k in whatever account it might be in

What was their response when you offered 6 months in advance?

@DianaT1969

What was their response when you offered 6 months in advance?

I haven't yet! Didn't think of that to be honest until it was mentioned here. Will talk to husband tonight and then if he agrees will offer them tomorrow and see what they say

It doesn’t sound like they want to let to you, sadly...

You can offer the six months upfront, if you’re happy to do that... that makes it a lot lower risk for the landlord. Or you can find a new landlord... I do appreciate that isn’t easy, especially being self employed with children and pets, but you don’t have a huge amount of choice if this one isn’t happy for you to rent from them.

I hope you find somewhere soon.

Could you open a savings account (I opened mine with Halifax completely online, no paperwork or branch visit) transfer the 16k, wait until it’s approved and transfer back?

Fiancé and I are both freelance and are constantly trying to find ways around these ridiculous systems. We also had to jump through hoops to get our house despite earning three or four times more than the letting agents required.

Interestingly that they want to see savings above £16k, which is the exact amount that excludes you from qualifying for universal credit.

@victoriashleigh

Could you open a savings account (I opened mine with Halifax completely online, no paperwork or branch visit) transfer the 16k, wait until it’s approved and transfer back?

Fiancé and I are both freelance and are constantly trying to find ways around these ridiculous systems. We also had to jump through hoops to get our house despite earning three or four times more than the letting agents required.

That was my plan aswell to make my husband send the money to me into my savings and show it to them so I asked the estate agent if that would work or if they would turn around and say yeah it's in savings but actually we can see it was transferred recently or something. I will hopefully get an answer for that tomorrow.

Honestly it sounds like the LL doesn't want you for some reason and is constantly putting hurdles in your way. I'm not sure as I'd want to rent from him, if he worried what he'd do when I'm in the property.